DENVER — Alex White worked three months to reach a rotation, waiting patiently and working diligently as his right middle finger healed. Jason Hammel spent the past two months struggling, Friday’s outing the final push that banished him to the bullpen today.

White, a key figure in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade last month, will make his Rockies’ debut Tuesday against the Astros at Coors Field. Aaron Cook will be pushed to Wednesday.

“I feel ready,” said White, dominant in his Thursday’s Double-A start for Tulsa, allowing just three hits in 7 2/3 innings. “I have been looking forward to this day.”

Hammel couldn’t hide his frustration. Worse, he knows he did this to himself.

“This was a long-time coming. It’s very disappointing,” said Hammel, who’s 7-12 with a 5.24 ERA. “But they can’t send a guy out every fifth day that they have questiosn about. I was killing the bullpen. I have to figure it out. It’s put up or shut up time.”

The Rockies talked with Hammel about going to Triple-A to make a few starts, but for now he will serve as the longman in the bullpen. That could change next week when Huston Street (triceps) and Matt Lindstrom (ulnar nerve in shoulder) are activated. The right-handers will throw Monday and Wednesday for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Hammel’s future with the organization beyond this season is in doubt. It’s likely the Rockies will attempt to trade him over the winter.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.